UFC Postdoctoral Researcher Nutrition Scientist Academic Supervisor

AUTISM • GUT–BRAIN AXIS • NEUROINFLAMMATION • TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH

Research focused on autism, the gut-brain axis & behavior.

Quezia Jones, PhD, is a postdoctoral researcher at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), a nutrition scientist, educator, and science communicator whose work explores autism spectrum disorder, neuroinflammation, gastrointestinal inflammation and the gut-brain axis.

UFC Postdoctoral research in gastrointestinal inflammation and gut-brain mechanisms
Estácio Coordinator, Academic Supervisor & Faculty Member in the Nutrition and Dietetics Program
Brazil + UK Scientific training in Brazil and at Lancaster University in the UK
Quezia Jones
Current Research Gut–brain axis & neuroimmune mechanisms
Science Communication Research and academic writing, made clear.
Leadership Academic supervision and student development at Estácio

ABOUT

A scientist translating complex ideas into meaningful human-health questions.

Quezia’s work is driven by a strong commitment to advancing research that may inform future therapeutic strategies for conditions of major social impact, especially Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Her work explores autism, nutrition, neuroinflammation and the gut-brain axis, with the goal of translating preclinical science into meaningful advances.

Alongside research, she serves as Coordinator, Academic Supervisor and Faculty Member in the Nutrition and Dietetics Program at Centro Universitário Estácio in Fortaleza, where she supports student learning, academic development and scientific engagement.

Quezia also communicates scientific research and academic writing in clear, accessible language, extending her work beyond the laboratory and classroom.

Her research publications appear under her full name, Quezia Damaris Jones Severino Vasconcelos.

RESEARCH FOCUS

Connected areas of research

01

Autism & Neurodevelopment

Investigating neurobiological and behavioral mechanisms relevant to autism spectrum disorder through preclinical research.

02

Gut-Brain Axis

Exploring the connection between intestinal health, nutrition, microbiota and neurobehavioral outcomes.

03

Neuroinflammation

Examining inflammatory and neuroimmune pathways involved in neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders.

04

Translational Science

Connecting experimental research to therapeutic questions that can inform future clinical progress and improvements in quality of life.

RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT & COLLABORATION

Research grows through strong scientific environments and collaboration.

Current Research Environment

LEFFAG / UFC

UFC

Quezia conducts her postdoctoral research as part of LEFFAG/UFC at the Federal University of Ceará. Her work contributes to collaborative research involving gastrointestinal inflammation, the gut-brain axis and neuroimmune mechanisms.

LEFFAG studies mechanisms and potential therapeutic approaches related to gastrointestinal disease using preclinical and laboratory-based research.

Research & Academic Path

Institutions across research, training and academic leadership

Quezia’s academic path connects research and training across institutions in Brazil and the United Kingdom.

UFC / LEFFAG Postdoctoral research and student research environment
UECE / GENIT Research-group participation, student engagement, doctoral and nutrition training
Lancaster University International research experience
Estácio Faculty teaching, academic supervision & student development

SCIENCE COMMUNICATION & ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT

Research, education and academic writing, made more accessible.

Public Science Voice

A scientist who explains without oversimplifying

Quezia communicates scientific research and academic knowledge in clear, accessible language, making complex ideas easier to understand without losing scientific depth.

Public research communication · UECE In 2025, Quezia presented results and implications from a cross-sectional study on medicinal cannabis in ASD as part of a public university seminar series. View UECE seminar ↗
Academic Writing

Helping unlock scientific writing

Her science-communication work also addresses scientific writing, helping make the process of developing and communicating academic work more approachable.

Teaching & Mentorship

Supporting students across teaching, research & academic development

Quezia supports students through independent learning resources, active research environments and university teaching.

Tutoring & learning resources Provides tutoring classes and educational resources for students seeking additional academic support. Portuguese-language ebook Destravando a Escrita Científica ↗
Research-group development Works with students within GENIT at UECE and LEFFAG at UFC, connecting student development with active research environments.
University teaching As a faculty member at Centro Universitário Estácio in Fortaleza, she contributes directly to student learning, supervision and professional development.
Peer Review & Academic Service

Contributing to the scientific community through peer review

Quezia contributes to scholarly publishing as a peer reviewer, including review activity for Clinical Nutrition ESPEN and Clinical Nutrition Open Science.

23 peer-review records on ORCID

ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY

Research, leadership and training across institutions

Quezia Jones at an Estácio academic event
Academic Leadership Coordinator, Academic Supervisor & Faculty Member in the Nutrition and Dietetics Program at Estácio
May 2026–Present

Coordinator, Academic Supervisor & Faculty Member, Nutrition and Dietetics Program

Centro Universitário Estácio · Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil · Faculty teaching, academic leadership, student development and scientific engagement.

May 2026–Present

Postdoctoral Researcher, Gastrointestinal Inflammation

Her postdoctoral research is conducted at LEFFAG/UFC under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Pedro Marcos Gomes Soares, with a focus on the gut-brain axis and neuroimmune mechanisms.

May 2022–Mar 2026

PhD in Physiological Sciences, with research focused on neuroscience

State University of Ceará (UECE). Doctoral research included neuroscience, animal models and behavioral and preclinical approaches.

Oct 2023–Aug 2024

Visiting Researcher, Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Lancaster University, United Kingdom. Research experience included immunofluorescence, immunocytochemistry, cell culture, flow cytometry and ELISA.

Aug 2019–Dec 2021

Master’s Degree, Pharmacology

Federal University of Ceará (UFC).

Feb 2013–Jul 2018

Bachelor’s Degree, Nutrition Sciences

State University of Ceará (UECE).

METHODS & SKILLS

A toolkit spanning laboratory work, behavior, nutrition and academic leadership

Nutrition Animal Behavior Cell Culture Flow Cytometry ELISA Immunofluorescence Immunocytochemistry Western Blotting Myeloperoxidase Activity Animal Models Clinical Research Scientific Writing Higher Education Leadership Student Development

CONTACT

Research collaboration, academic exchange and science-centered partnerships.

For research collaboration, teaching, speaking, academic discussion or science-communication opportunities, Quezia can be contacted directly or through her professional profiles.

Based in Fortaleza · Ceará · Brazil

Available for academic, research and science-communication connections.